Ozzy Osbourne, Rock Legend and 'Prince of Darkness,' Passes Away at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the British rock icon and founding member of Black Sabbath, has passed away at the age of 76. His family released a statement confirming his death on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, saying he was "surrounded by love" at the time of his passing.
Osbourne, often hailed as the "Prince of Darkness," rose to fame during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, a band credited with pioneering the heavy metal genre. Over the decades, he became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 100 million albums worldwide as both a solo artist and with Black Sabbath.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, his early life was marked by hardship, including dyslexia and sexual abuse. Music became his refuge, and he went on to form Black Sabbath in 1967 with Geezer Butler and others. The band’s dark, satanic themes and iconic tracks like "Paranoid" and "Iron Man" cemented their place in rock history.
Osbourne’s career was not without controversy. He gained notoriety for outrageous behavior, including biting a bat on stage in 1982 and urinating on a monument in Texas. His personal struggles with substance abuse led to his departure from Black Sabbath in 1979, though he later reunited with the band for their final album and farewell tour in 2016–2017.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, which he openly discussed in recent years. Despite his health challenges, he made a final stage appearance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham earlier this year.
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and ten grandchildren. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy as a groundbreaking musician and cultural icon will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Published: 7/22/2025